Help...
We are struggling with Addison sleeping at night. She's got her naps down, falling asleep with minimal to no crying, but the nights have been rough lately. When she slept in her cradle in our room, she was sleeping 8, 9, or 10 hours before waking up. But these last 3 weeks she's been downstairs in her "big crib" and only sleeps 5 or 6 hours at a time at most. Two nights ago it was every 3 hours she was waking up, wanting to eat. I know she can't be hungry after 3 or 4 hours and she's proven to us she can do 9 or 10, but we struggle with how to handle it. Last night we said if she woke up before 3:30AM, we'd let her cry and calm herself back to sleep. Otherwise, I'd wake her up at 3:30, feed her, and hopefully she'd sleep the rest of the night. That's what the books say, to wean them off night feedings, wake them up yourself for a few nights and only feed a few minutes. But last night, 1:00AM came and she was crying. She cried until 1:55, when I finally gave in and fed her. Neither of us knew what to do, or what the right answer was... part of me feels like because I gave in to her, she had won, and know we have to start over. But at the same time, it's hard to listen to her so upset for so long. So... long story short- any suggestions for getting them to sleep through the night??
5 comments:
Are you sure she isn't growing!?
I go with the theory, they will sleep through the night when they are ready. Kobe has never slept though the night and there seems to always be reasons, cold, growing, teeth...the nights he does sleep longer he is healthy, etc. I figure if all it takes is a little food for a few minutes and htey will sleep a long chunk of time again...go for it! My doctor agrees.
The doctor also told us with Liam that they go through seperation anxiety when they wake up and you are not there. Super Nanny says to just rub her back and comfort her in addition to the weaning from the feedings. :*) Addie is getting old enough now that she is figuring out how to get what she needs and wants...now if we could just figure out what it is! She is also drooling a lot so...you may be entering the wonderful world of teething! Yippee! Remember too, that she can have water now...give her a drink and see if that helps. It worked for Liam.
Hey, Stephanie...Happy Birthday! a day late. Just read your blog about sleeping through the night. Babies are so keen...new room, new sounds, new smells...new mattress...is she getting cold during the night? Many new things to get used to. Is there something you can put in her room to remind her of you? Just a thought.
I agree with the fact that she may be going through a growth spurt, in which case she does need more food. I also agree with Amber's doctor on the seperation anxiety factor. Babies are not psychologically mature enough to know that they're okay being alone (that's why in many other cultures and in most of history babies sleep in the same room or even the same bed as their parents) - so when they wake up and sense that no one's near, they get scared because they don't know if you're just in the next room or 10 miles away. She may just need the comfort of feeding to let her know that she's safe and you're there.
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